Cooling means for engine pistons



Dec. 31, 1929. N. ELLIOTT 1,742,028

cooLINQMEAuS Fon ENGINE PIsToNs Filed June 6, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY will,

,AQ/ 2 /W N. ELLIOTT Dec. 31, T929.

COOLING MEANS FOR ENGINE P'ISTONS 2 meets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1927 INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Patented nee. 31, 1929 NELSON ELLIOTT, F NEW' WESTMINSTER, BRITSH COLUMBIA, CANADA COLING MEANS FOR ENGINE PISTONS Application filed June 6, 1927.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, particularly those o1a the high speed type, and has tor its object the provision oit means whereby the pistons of an internal combustion engine, not only of a high speed type but of any other type, may be Veitectually cooled for the purpose of preventing overheating of any ot the parts and consequently avoiding burning up of the 0 lubricating oil.

It is well known that in internal combustion engines adequate means has already been devised for cooling the cylinders, the usual methodV being to provide water jackets 5 through which passes a consta-nt flow of water. However, it has been discovered that the cooling of the cylinders alone is insufcient inasmuch as the terrific heat generated by the continual explosion of combustible 0 mixture results in entirely overheating the pistons. Heretofore there has been no adequate means devised for cooling the pistons themselves and the result has been, especially in high speed motors, that the overheating "of the pistons has resulted in carbonization or burning of the lubricating oil with the result that the carbonized lubricating oil `then becomes an abrasive and will act to wear away the bearings and other parts so that serious damage to the motor or engine t may result. ,l y

It is with the above Yfacts in view that I have designed the present invention which has for "an important object-the provision of means whereby a cooling medium may be positively circulated through the pistons while the engine is in operation, this cooling `medium acting to absorb the excess heat `generated at and abouttlie pistons and to discharge or diffuse it into the atmosphere or into` some cooling medium'other than the atmosphere so thatthe eiiiciency of the motor or engine will be greatly enhanced.

Another object of the invention is to pror vide an arrangement oi this character in which use may be made of air, water or oil as the cooling medium, it being immaterial which is employed inasmuch as the main u features or general principles involved will 'he substantially the same in every case Serial No. 196,871.

Anotherl object of the invention is to provide-a cooling means for internal combustion engine pistons embodying packing means so constructed and arranged as to positively prevent leakage of compression in the combustion chamber. o

An additional object is to provide a structure of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture or install, positive in action, eicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

l/Jith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through an engine cylinder, piston and parts of the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1"` showing a modified form, and

Figure 4l is a cross section taken on th line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and especially Figures 1 and 2, the numeral designates the cylinder of an `internal combustion engine within which cylinder operates a piston 11 carried by a connecting rod 12 in the usual manner. The cylinder 10` is water jaclreted as indicated at 13. Associated with the cylinder is the usual cylinder head 11i likewise formed to provide a water jacket 15 for cooling purposes. It will be observed that there has been no attempt made to illustrate or describe the valve mechanism, spark-plugs or other adjuncts inasmuch as the same are not essential to a proper understanding of the present invention.

In carrying out this form of the invention, I provide a tubular member 16 which is screwed into a suitable bore 17 at the top of the iston, which is of course of hollow forma-tion as is customary. As a matter of :niet tha 'piston is referablr nrsvded with a transverse partition 18 located between its top and the wrist pin 19 so as to provide a compartment Within which the cooling action takes place. The combustion chamber is of course located between the top of the piston and the piston head and is indicated b f the numeral 20.

Suita ly mounted upon the cylinder head, as for instance by being screwed thereinto is a member 21 which is ot course stationary and which is formed or otherivise provided with a barrel 22 Within which the tubular member 16 is slidable, the tubular member being preferably provided with packing rings or the equivalent 23 for the purpose of preventing leakage. At the upper end of the barrel 22 is a packing gland 2aand extending therethrough is a tube 25 which extends downwardly through the tubular member 16 in spaced relation thereto and which terniinates at a point slightly above the partition 18 when the piston is at its highermost position. Any cooling medium, such as air, Water, oil or any other fluid is adapted to be passed through the tube 25 and discharge into the chamber above the partition 18 for the purpose oi absorbing the heat generated by the explosion of the combustible mixture With the engine. The cooling medium is then adapted to pass out through the space between the tube 25 and the tubular member 16. At a point above the highest end of the tubular member 16, the barrel 22 is provided with an outlet opening 26. Carried by the member 21 is a casing member 27 which is spaced from the barrel 22 and which is provided With an outlet pipe 28. It is of course possible to provide auxiliary cooling means in addition to that introduced through the tube 23 and for this reason the casing 27 is represented as having an inlet 29 through which other fluid may be introduced and subsequently commingled with that entering through the tube 25 in case such is found necessary or desirable.

In order to avoid overheatingr and sticking of the parts during the action it is preferable to provide lubricating tubes or lubricating conducting tubes 30 and 3l Which pass through the casing 27 and which discharge into the barrel for the purpose of lubricating the tubular member 16 and permitting the same to slide freely at all times.

In the operation ot this form ot the invention, it will be apparent that oil, air7 vfater or any other cooling medium may be introduced through the tube Then this is done the fluid will be discharged at the lower end of this tube into the space Within the piston above the partition 18. The heat will of course be absorbed by this medium and the medium Will pass out into the space between vthe tube 25 and the tubular member 1G. The

air, Water, oil or other medium will, after passing out at the top of the tubular member 16 enter the space above it and between it and the barrel 22, and thence pass out through the opening 2G and outlet tube 28.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 3 and 4, the numeral 32 designates a tubular member screwed or otherwise secured Within a boss 33 at the top oi' the piston, the tubular member being surrounded by a barrel 34 spaced therefrom and suitably anchored upon the cylinder head, a packing gland 35 being provided for the purpose of preventing loss oil compression. Located axially of the tubular member 32 is a tube 3G with which connects a v[luid supply tube 37 leading from any suitable source of air, ivater, oil or other fluid. Mounted upon the top of the tube 3G is a Water cup or the like 88 having a needle valve control 39 by means of Which a suitable amount of liquid may be permitted to enter the tube 3G, a supply duct /lO being connected with the valve 38 and leading Jfrom any suitable source. '.Che memberV 3a is of course provided With a suitable outlet 11.

In the operation of this form oi' the invention it Willbe seen that as the tube 3G is stationary the tubular member 32 carried by the piston is slidable With respect thereto, leakot compression being prevented by the packing gland 85. Assuming that air is the cooling medium employed in this instance, the air is introduced through the tube 37 into the tube 3G and is discharged at the lower end of the latter into the hollow interior et the piston, the air then passing out between the tube 3G and the tubular member 32 and being discharged through the outlet tube 11. The purpose in providing the valve 38 is to permit the utilization of a certain amount or' `water, oil or other liquid in addition to the air tor cooling purposes. By properly adjusting the valve 39, the rate of ilovv oi the liquid employed may be regulated and it is preferable that there be provided a. sight glass or simply a glass tube l2 between the device 38 and the tube 3G so that the operator may ascertain by inspection the rate of Ilow ot the liquid.

In both forms of the invention it Will of course be readily apparent that I have provided means Whereby a constant flow ot air or other cooling medium may be had Within the interior of the piston for the purpose of absorbing the heat generated by the explosion of the combustible charge and for carrying away this heat so that overheating ot the piston will be entirely avoided. By keeping the piston comparatively cool there will be a great economy in the opera-tion of the engine, the particular feature of advantage being that the oil used for lubricating purposes will not burn and become carbonized as is ordinarily the case. This results not only in a saving in the amount of oil necessary to effeet lubrication but also prevents damage to `the engine inasmuch as it is Well lrnown that the burnt and carbonized oil acts as an abrasive and Wears away the parts. It is really believed that the construction, opera f, tion and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art Without further explanation.

HWhile l have shown and described the preferred embodiment ot the invention, it should be understood that l reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement ot parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is l. Means for cooling the piston of an internal combustion engine, the piston being mounted Within a cylinder closed by a cylinder head, comprising a tubular member secured to the piston and movable therewith, a tube stationary with respect to the cylinder head and extending axially of the tubular member, a barrel secured upon the exterior of the cylinder head and through which said tubular member operates slidably, said barrel having an outlet near its upper end, and a casing surrounding the barrel in spa-ced relation thereto and having an outlet, said stationary tube having a fluid inlet near its upper end and having a separate valve controlled inlet.

der head and'eirtending axially of the tubular member, a barrel rigid with respect to the cylinder head and through which said tubular member operates'slidably, said barrel having an outlet near its upper end, and a casing surrounding the barrel in spaced relation thereto and having an outlet, said tubular member being equipped with packing rings cooperating with the interior of the barrel, and oil conducting pipes leading through the casing and barrel for discharging lubricant at the areas oli contact ot the tubular member With the barrel.

3. In an engine having a cylinder closed by a cylinder head and containing a piston, piston cooling means comprising a body member secured Within a hole in the cylinder head concentric with the longitudinal airis oi the piston, a cylindrical shell carried by said body member, said body member having an upstanding tubular extension co-extensive in length with the shell, a cap common to the shell and tubular extension, a stationarytube extending axially through the cap and tubular extension in spaced relation to the latter, said tubular extension being in spaced relation to the shell to deiine an annular chaming with said pipe to said opening.'

ll. In an engine havin 1. a c flinder closed n a: n I e bT a c linder head and containm a aiston 9 s piston cooling means comprising a body member secured Within a hole in the cylinder head concentric with the longitudinal axis of the piston, a cylindrical shell carried by. said body member, said body member having an upstanding tubular extension co-extensive in length with the shell, a cap common to the shell and tubular extension, a stationary tube extending axially through the cap and tubular extension in spaced relation to the latter, said tubular extension being in spaced relation. to `the shell to denne an annular chamber, a pipe leading into said annular chamber, tubular extension having an opening therein substantially registering With said pipe, and a tubular member carried by the piston and slidable 'Within said first named tubular member and arranged in spaced relation to said relatively stationary pipe to define a second annular chamber communicating With said pipe to said opening, another pipe extending through said shell and lead to openii in said first named tubular member for conducting lubricantto said slidable tubular member.

ln testimony whereof l ailix my signature.

NELSGN ELLLOTT. 

